Both of them look up when I speak.
"It's a little vague," I admit, "kind of poetic. But I think it's legit. It says this crystal, celestite, can 'break a satyr's song.' But only if it's 'awakened by one of the magic words.' Which I guess means the crystal alone won't work."
Kayden scoffs. "Of course. Nothing's ever simple."
"At least it's a lead," Asher says, straightening slightly. "The 'magic words' might mean an incantation. Or a witch. Or someone who knows the old languages."
"Great," I mutter, blowing hair out of my face. "So now I need a rare crystal and a magical linguist."
"Just means you'll have to stick around a little longer," Kayden says, reaching out and catching my ankle. His grip is tight enough to count as possessive. "Tragic."
He smirks, and I barely resist the urge to kick him.
Asher looks up from his laptop. "If you don't mind, Sage, we could use our inner circle for this. Tap into the hive mind. Speed things up."
"You mean that Assembly Winston mentioned?" I ask. Asher nods. "But isn't it only for people who actually live here?"
Kayden mutters something under his breath, grip tightening slightly on my ankle.
"We can make an exception," Asher says smoothly. "Emergency clauses exist for a reason. If this crystal can help protect you from Darius, we'll find it. And then, after, you decide what you want to do."
I nod slowly, lips pressing together. It means pulling more people into this. More eyes. More opinions. More ties I didn't plan on making.
"Who exactly would be involved?"
Asher leans back, thoughtful. "Winston or Jace—one of them will have to stay behind to manage the bar. They'll sort it."
I nod. Hopefully it's Winston. Jace wasn't all that thrilled to see me last time, which is understandable.
"There are more in their pack, right?" I ask, curious.
"Yes. Coyote packs aren't as tightly knit as wolves, but there are others in the county."
I nod again, satisfied enough with that.
"There's Astrid," Asher adds, "the one whose clothes you borrowed. She handles security around here. She's a valkyrie."
"And a certified pain in the ass," Kayden mutters, shaking his head.
"She's not that bad," Asher says mildly. "You just antagonize her."
Kayden smirks, utterly unapologetic. "I may have blown a couple of her contracts. By accident."
Asher shoots him a look. "And you won't do it again."
Kayden raises both hands in mock surrender, all innocent charm. "I'm on my best behavior. For now."
I arch a brow. Asher doesn't buy it either. But instead of pressing, he just sighs—a long-suffering older-brother noise—and moves on.
"There's Eira," he says. "A banshee. She works at the hospital. And then… there are two more vampires."
The words land with a little too much care.
I stiffen.
"You don't have to worry," Asher says quickly. "Donna's very nice. And Tomas…" His gaze holds mine. "I sired him. I vouch for him."
My eyes widen. "You sired someone?"
